Heel rest on operator footboard

ABSTRACT

The invention involves a motorcycle footboard accessory. The motorcycle footboard accessory comprises: a footboard; an upstanding support member; and a heel-encounter projection. The heel-encounter projection has an inner portion attached to the upper outer surface. The heel-encounter projection also has projection lateral and longitudinal dimensions. The heel-encounter projection is dispensed above the footboard upper surface. It is another aspect of this invention to present an improvement to motorcycles of the type having at least one laterally extending, substantially horizontal surface defining a horizontal plane, designed for receiving at least a portion of an operator&#39;s foot while the motorcycle is in operation. The improvement comprises: a projection configured and arranged to receive at least a rearward portion of the operator&#39;s foot. The projection extends laterally with respect to the motorcycle, and is located above the horizontal plane such that the foot can encounter the horizontal surface and the projection, simultaneously

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related generally to motorcycles and, more particularly, to operator footboards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain motorcycle design elements are well known within the industry. For example, for a touring motorcycle, a low profile is desirable to minimize top-heavy torquing aspects inherent in bodies which have to points of contact with the ground. Moreover, placement of some components on a lower lateral sides of the motorcycle are prohibited due to tilting of the motorcycle from vertical when cornering. Moreover still, due to the compact nature of a motorcycle, lateral surfaces of a motorcycle must be efficiently used. With design criteria such as these, touring motorcycles typically have footpegs upon which an operator may rest his feet generally below his body with placement of a rear brake shift lever on the rights side of the motorcycle in front of the foot rest for foot activation. Although to maintain horizontal on a footpeg, the foot is flexed about the ankle toward the shin, which would cause discomfort and cramping when maintained, due to the minimal longitudinal dimension of a footpeg, during a tour, the motorcycle operator has general freedom of movement of the foot sole about the peg thereby varying the positioning of the ankle.

When operating the foot brake, an operator typically lifts his foot from the footpeg and applies the ball of his foot to the shift lever to depress the shift lever and thereby stop the bike. Such operation of the brake requires thrust from the hip, thigh and knee to the brake. Inherently through the use of these large muscles, the braking activity requires large muscular effort and lack of precision in pressure application. By way of example, while encountering the brake, if the foot is otherwise unsupported, should the motorcycle go over a bump, there is a tendency to unintentionally apply additional pressure to the brake causing unintended consequences.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention involves a motorcycle footboard accessory. The motorcycle footboard accessory comprises: a footboard; an upstanding support member; and a heel-encounter projection. The footboard has an upper surface with a front end and a back end, and has footboard lateral and longitudinal dimensions. As used herein, the directions are given with reference to the motorcycle in upright operation. By way of example, the term “vertical” generally describes upward from the ground while the term “lateral” generally describes horizontal to the ground and outward from the side of the motorcycle. The footboard is attached to a motorcycle in a substantially horizontal manner. The upstanding support member has an upper and lower outer surfaces with the lower outer surface attached to an inner portion of the footboard. The heel-encounter projection has an inner portion attached to the upper outer surface. The heel-encounter projection also has a projection lateral and longitudinal dimensions. The heel-encounter projection is dispensed above the footboard upper surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the heel-encounter projection has a planar projection upper surface. In another preferred embodiment, the projection lateral dimension is dimensioned to be less than the footboard lateral dimension.

In a more preferred embodiment, the heel-encounter projection is selectively located on the upstanding support member with respect to the footboard. In another highly preferred embodiment, the heel-encounter projection is prepositioned on the upstanding support member with respect to the footboard. It is even more preferred for the heel-encounter projection to be spaced from the footboard upper surface to allow an operator's foot to encounter the heel-encounter projection and the footboard, simultaneously, while the motorcycle is in operation. It is even more highly preferred for the operator's foot and the operator=3 s calf define a foot-calf angle greater than 90° when the operator's foot encounters the heel-encounter projection and the footboard, simultaneously.

In another preferred embodiment, The motorcycle footboard accessory further comprises a foot-actuated brake-device-actuator surface attached with respect to the footboard. In this embodiment, the heel-encounter projection is spaced from the foot-actuated brake-device-actuator surface to allow a foot to encounter the heel-encounter projection and the foot-actuated brake-device-actuator surface, simultaneously.

It is another aspect of this invention to present an improvement to motorcycles of the type having at least one laterally extending, substantially horizontal surface defining a horizontal plane, designed for receiving at least a forward portion of an operator's foot while the motorcycle is in operation. The improvement comprises: a projection configured and arranged to receive at least a rearward portion of the operator's foot. The projection extends laterally with respect to the motorcycle, and is located above the horizontal plane such that the foot can encounter the horizontal surface and the projection, simultaneously.

The motorcycle improvement embodiment is preferred wherein the operator's foot and the operator's calf define a foot-calf angle greater than 90° when the operator's foot encounters the projection and the horizontal surface, simultaneously. It is more preferred in the motorcycle improvement for the projection has a projection lateral dimension to be dimensioned to be less than a horizontal-surface lateral dimension of the horizontal surface. It is even more highly preferred for the motorcycle improvement embodiment for the horizontal surface to have a laterally-extending midline located between a horizontal-surface front end and a horizontal-surface rear end, and wherein the projection is located rearward of the midline.

It is another aspect of the invention to present an improvement for a motorcycle footboard of the type having a substantially planar upper surface with a front end and a back end, and having a footboard lateral dimension and a footboard longitudinal dimension, for attachment to a motorcycle whereby the upper surface is substantially horizontal. The improvement comprises the addition of a heel-raising element. It is preferable for the heel-raising element to be integral with the footboard.

In one preferred embodiment, the heel-raising element is integral with the upper surface. It is more preferred for the heel-raising element to have a heel-raising-element lateral dimension which is less than the footboard lateral dimension. It is a more preferred embodiment for the heel-raising element to be proximate to an interior portion of the back end of the footboard.

In another preferred embodiment, the heel-raising element is attached with respect to the upper surface. In this preferred embodiment, it is more preferred for the heel-raising element to be dispensed above the upper surface. It is also preferred for the heel-raising element to be hingedly attached with respect the upper surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments which include the above-noted characteristics and features of the invention. The invention will be readily understood from the descriptions and drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a footboard of the current art showing a foot in rest position.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a footboard of FIG. 1 showing a foot in braking position with heel supported by the board.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a footboard of FIG. 1 showing a foot in braking position with heel unsupported.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a footboard with heel projection.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the footboard of FIG. 4, installed on a motorcycle.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the footboard of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side plan view of the footboard of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the footboard of FIG. 4 with a foot encountering the footboard.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the footboard of FIG. 4 with a foot encountering the brake pedal.

FIG. 10 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a footboard.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the footboard of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a heel rest.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1. Shows a foot-board of 10 of the current art. Footboard 10 is attached to motorcycle 12 as seen in FIG. 5. Some footboards come as a factory installed option (as with certain Harley Davidson® models) while some are installed as after-market accessories (such as with certain Honda® models) to replace footpegs 14. Regardless of whether factory install or after market installation, footboards 10 are installed on motorcycle 12 below and behind the knee of the average rider.

Footboard 10 is typically planar having a planar upper surface 16 to receive the sole of the foot 18. Foot 18 has a heel portion 20 and a toe portion 22. At the rear of heel portion 20 is heel 24. For illustration purposes, heel 24 is shown extending down from foot 18; while such projection is typical of most footware, the presence of a downwardly projecting heel 24 is not required. Heel 24 has a flat, lower heel surface 26, which has a heel plane 28. Lower leg 30 has an overall, dominant lower leg axis 32, generally parallel to the tibia. The intersection of the lower leg axis with the heel plane is ankle angle, various ankle angles are designated herein with the letter A and a subscript.

Adjacent to the front of footboard 10 and extending above upper surface 14 is brake pedal 34. Brake pedal 34 has a brake pedal upper surface 36. When depressed by toe pressure, brake pedal 34 actuates the rear brake.

Unlike a factory-supplied footpeg 14 (as seen in FIG. 12), which has a mounded, convex upper surface 38 that allows for movement of foot 18 into various angle positions (of lower leg axis relative to heel plane), a footboard 10 retains foot 18 in a stationary, substantially horizontal orientation, without angular variation.

Due to the placement of footboard 10 on motorcycle 12 below and behind the knee, as seen in FIG. 1, the foot is flexed to a tour ankle angle A₁, which is acute. Due to the chronically flexed position maintained over a longer tour, said foot position creates discomfort.

Moreover, as seen in FIG. 2, if the operator wishes to reach brake pedal 34 while maintaining heel portion contact with footboard 10 in order to use heel 24 as a fulcrum about which foot 18 may rotate, the operator must raise toe portion 22 off footboard upper surface 16 to reach brake pedal surface 36. As rider seating position has not changed, in order to maneuver toe portion 22 onto the brake pedal 34, operator must hyperflex foot to an ankle angle A₂. If the operator finds such hyperflexion uncomfortable or even impossible, operator has the option as shown in FIG. 3 to raise foot 18 entirely off the upper surface 16 suspending heel portion 20. Due to the suspension of heel portion 20, operator has lost the leverage otherwise obtained through heel 24 encountering a solid substance. Therefore, in order to accomplish braking, operator must stomp down on brake pedal 34 with the force of his hip and thigh muscles, losing the greater control allowed through the use of the ankle.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4 and 5. Footboard assembly 40 has a footboard 42. Footboard 42 is typically made of metal for durability and preferably from billet aircraft-quality aluminum for strength and weight considerations. Footboard 42 has a foot-receiving upper surface 44. Footboard upper surface 44 is typically planar and is dimensioned to comfortably and fully receive foot 18. Footboard 42 typically has a major longitudinal dimension of about twelve inches and a major lateral dimension of approximately five inches. Taking the dimensions and shape of foot 18 into consideration, the choice of geometric form of footboard 42 is arbitrary and subject to ornamental preference. Attached to footboard upper surface 44 are grip strips 46. Grip strips 46 are rubber inlays inlaid into recessed portions of footboard surface 44 to provide a non-slip surface for foot 18. Grip strips 46 are typically made of a rubber such as neoprene to provide both durability, an anti-vibrational padding, and a non-slip material. Represented as diagonal strips relative to a longitudinal centerline of footboard 42, it will be recognized that such arrangement is merely ornamental and that any arrangement about the surface of any configuration (including nonstrip-like geometric shapes) is satisfactory.

Also supplied is an L-shaped footboard attachment bracket 48. As seen in FIG. 4, footboard attachment bracket 48 has a bracket vertical portion 50. Vertical portion 50 has two countersunk bolt holes 52, which are sized and spaced to accommodate bracket bolts 54 for attachment to motorcycle 12.

Perpendicular to, and integral with, vertical support 50 is horizontal member 56. Horizontal member 56 extends between ears 58 of footboard 32. Each of horizontal member and ears 56, 58 have a cylindrical channel 60 extending longitudinally therethrough. Hinge rod 62 extends through ears 58 and horizontal member 56 thereby attaching footboard attachment bracket 48 to footboard 42. In certain applications, it is desirable to allow hinge rod 62 to act as an axis about which footboard 42 can rotate relative to footboard attachment bracket 48. For instance, if dragged through a tight turn, hinged footboard 42 will retract away from traveling surface by rotation about hinge rod 62 when footboard 42 encounters traveling surface, rather than break off. Hinge rod 62 has rod head 64 to inhibit longitudinal movement once installed; a cotter pin (not shown) retains the other end of hinge rod 64.

Attached to and extending laterally out from the vertical support 50 is heel projection 66. As best seen in FIG. 7, heel projection 66 has lower structural portion 68 that is integral with an upper outer portion of vertical support 50. It will be readily observed that any other means of attachment of the metallic lower support structure 66 to vertical support 50, such as welding, is acceptable. Attached to an upper heel-projection surface 70 of lower structural support 68 is upper pad 72. As seen in FIG. 6, upper pad 72 is roughly trapezoidal in shape.

Also, as best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, heel projection 66 is dispensed above footboard upper surface 44 but the downwardly-looking profile of heel-projection upper surface 70 does not intersect the downwardly-looking profile of footboard upper surface 44. Thus, an operator may place foot 18 entirely on footboard upper surface 44 (in the manner as shown in FIG. 1) without impediment by heel projection 66.

Alternatively, however, should operator require relief from the flexed position necessitated by stationary placement of the entire foot 18 on footboard upper surface 44 (as described above with reference to footboard upper surface 16), operator may raise heel 24 to rest on heel projection 66 as shown in FIG. 8 while toe portion 22 remains in contact with upper surface of footboard. As shown, depending on the selectively predeterminable position of heel projection 66 the ankle angle A₄ approximates 90°, and dimensionally can be obtuse.

FIG. 9, shows a braking operation using the embodiment of the invention By placing heel 24 on heel projection 66, toe portion 22 can easily encounter brake pedal 34. Through the use of heel projection 66, operator has the advantages of the fulcrum existing by virtue of the heel-to-projection interaction, including leverage and ankle control of the braking operation. Moreover, due to the height imparted to foot 18 by interaction with heel projection 66, ankle angle A₅ begins at a near 90° at the inception of the braking operation and becomes comfortably greater through the operation.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate another embodiment of the invention. Footboard assembly 80 has a footboard 82 with a substantially planar foot-receiving upper surface 84. Rising up from, and integral with, footboard upper surface 84 is heel projection 86. Heel projection 86 has a canted heel-projection upper surface 88 for receiving heel 24. As seen in FIG. 10, heel projection 86 is located on an inner portion of footboard upper surface 84 to allow for operator to selectively choose to have foot 18 entirely on footboard upper surface 84.

FIG. 12. shows another embodiment of the invention. Footpeg 14 and brake pedal 34 are independently attached to motorcycle 12 in factory-dictated locations. Heel projection 96 has a lower structural portion 98 that is integral with a projection bracket 100. Projection bracket 100 is vertically oriented. It will be readily observed that any other means of attachment of the metallic lower support structure 98 to projection bracket 100, such as welding, is acceptable. Extending through projection bracket 100 are two countersunk attachment holes 102. Bracket bolts 54 are used through attachment holes 102 to attach heel projection to motorcycle 12. Attached to an upper heel-projection surface 104 of lower structural support 98 is upper pad 106. Heel projection 96 is installed above and behind footpeg 14, in a manner by which foot 18 may encounter heel projection 96 and brake pedal 34 simultaneously to obtain benefits of the other embodiments described above. Moreover, heel projection is selectively and strategically placed to not interfere with use of footpeg 14.

While the principles of the invention have been shown and described in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that such embodiments are by way of example and are not limiting. 

1. A motorcycle footboard accessory comprising: a footboard having an upper surface with a front end and a back end, and having a footboard lateral dimension and a footboard longitudinal dimension, for attachment to a motorcycle in a substantially horizontal manner; an upstanding support member having an upper outer surface and having a lower outer surface attached to an inner portion of the footboard; and a heel-encounter projection having an inner portion attached to the upper outer surface and having a projection lateral dimension and a projection longitudinal dimension, whereby the heel-encounter projection is dispensed above the footboard upper surface.
 2. The motorcycle footboard accessory of claim 1 wherein the heel-encounter projection has a planar projection upper surface.
 3. The motorcycle footboard accessory of claim 1 wherein the projection lateral dimension is dimensioned to be less than the footboard lateral dimension.
 4. The motorcycle footboard accessory of claim 3 wherein the heel-encounter projection is selectively located on the upstanding support member with respect to the footboard.
 5. The motorcycle footboard accessory of claim 3 wherein the heel-encounter projection is prepositioned on the upstanding support member with respect to the footboard.
 6. The motorcycle footboard accessory of claim 5 wherein the heel-encounter projection is spaced from the footboard upper surface to allow an operator's foot to encounter the heel-encounter projection and the footboard, simultaneously, while the motorcycle is in operation.
 7. The motorcycle footboard accessory of claim 6 wherein the operator's foot and the operator's calf define a foot-calf angle greater than 90° when the operator's foot encounters the heel-encounter projection and the footboard, simultaneously.
 8. The motorcycle footboard accessory of claim 1 further comprising a foot-actuated brake-device-actuator surface attached with respect to the footboard, wherein the heel-encounter projection is spaced from the foot-actuated brake-device-actuator surface to allow a foot to encounter the heel-encounter projection and the foot-actuated brake-device-actuator surface, simultaneously.
 9. In a motorcycle of the type having at least one laterally extending, substantially horizontal surface defining a horizontal plane, designed for receiving at least a forward portion of an operator's foot while the motorcycle is in operation, the improvement comprising: a projection configured and arranged to receive at least a rearward portion of the operator's foot, said projection extending laterally with respect to the motorcycle, and located above the horizontal plane such that the foot can encounter the horizontal surface and the projection, simultaneously.
 10. The motorcycle improvement of claim 9 wherein the operator's foot and the operator's calf define a foot-calf angle greater than 90° when the operator's foot encounters the projection and the horizontal surface, simultaneously.
 11. The motorcycle improvement of claim 10 wherein the projection has a projection lateral dimension dimensioned to be less than a horizontal-surface lateral dimension of the horizontal surface.
 12. The motorcycle improvement of claim 11 wherein the horizontal surface has a laterally-extending midline located between a horizontal-surface front end and a horizontal-surface rear end, and wherein the projection is located rearward of the midline.
 13. In a motorcycle footboard of the type having a substantially planar upper surface with a front end and a back end, and having a footboard lateral dimension and a footboard longitudinal dimension, for attachment to a motorcycle whereby the upper surface is substantially horizontal, the improvement comprising: a heel-raising element.
 14. The motorcycle footboard of claim 13 wherein the heel-raising element is integral with the footboard.
 15. The motorcycle footboard of claim 14 wherein the heel-raising element is integral with the upper surface.
 16. The motorcycle footboard of claim 15 wherein the heel-raising element has a heel-raising-element lateral dimension which is less than the footboard lateral dimension.
 17. The motorcycle footboard of claim 16 wherein the heel-raising element is proximate to an interior portion of the back end of the footboard.
 18. The motorcycle footboard of claim 13 wherein the heel-raising element is attached with respect to the upper surface.
 19. The motorcycle footboard of claim 18 wherein the heel-raising element is dispensed above the upper surface.
 20. The motorcycle footboard of claim 18 wherein the heel-raising element is hingedly attached with respect the upper surface. 